The Last Farewell (to SE Asia)

Some of you might know this song, written (poem) by none other than an English silversmith, Ron Webster:

There’s a ship lies rigged and ready in the harbor
Tomorrow for old England she sails
Far away from your land of endless sunshine
To my land full of rainy skies and gales
And I shall be aboard that ship tomorrow
Though my heart is full of tears at this farewell.

For you are beautiful, I have loved you dearly
More dearly than the spoken word can tell
For you are beautiful, I have loved you dearly

More dearly than the spoken word can tell.

He sent it to British folk singer Roger Whittaker in 1971, and recorded the song with a full orchestra with arrangements by Zack Lawrence. I actually heard old Roger sing this song at Chuck’s Cellar in Palo Alto back in the 70s, with the crazy and wild folk singer, Joe Cannon.

But the reason I bring this song to you is bittersweet. On this trip to SE Asia, I am most likely saying farewell to many friends I have made along the way. Each one has made my (and our, when Sheri traveled) life better in every way. They opened their homes, hearts, culture, and country to us over the past two decades.

So, a common thread you will read about through these four countries is simply, dear friends. Places are just places, and famous sights and just sights, without people to help make good and lasting memories. Some I met totally by chance, some I met through tour companies, some we met through common friends.

Perhaps we will see some famous sights, enjoy some outlandish gourmet meals, and stay at some terrific hotels. But all of that will play “second act” to my visits with my friends. So, if you are wanting to read about great places in these countries, you will be disappointed. If you want good stories, stay tuned!

Though Sheri will not be with me on this trip, I will have my best travel buddy, Mr. Mike with me, along with his grown son, Matt. They will make the trip more fun, of that I am certain.

But I do not want to make too big a deal out of this trip. The song is just another song. This trip is just another in a long line of trips over almost two decades. They have all been great, some better than others, rarely one where I say I will never go back, except for maybe, Russia.

You might ask why I would say this is the “last farewell” for me? Most likely, this is my last big trip to SE Asia. I do have a few more big trips in me, but most likely to Japan, Turkey, and South America. I hope it will not become an issue during this trip. I just want it to be a wonderful as all the previous ones.

Photo 1: Me in Bangkok Chinatown

Photo 2: Friends in Chiang Mai b chinatown kl drinks chun jason Cambodia